Chelsea’s new attacking recruitment, Hakim Ziyech opens up on how Chelsea coach, Frank Lampard influenced him to join his team. Ziyech was in Ajax at that time when Lampard proposed a move for him and the importance of Lampard’s football philosophy and the desire to create an irresistible attacking force tempted Ziyech.
However, he also said about his current fitness update before his trip to Manchester United in the Premier League where he would hope to return to winning terms.
‘I’ve not played for a while and the injury came at an unlucky time for me so it’s important to get the rhythm back and build up everything again,’ Ziyech said in Chelsea FC official site.
‘I know it will take some time but the most important thing is to come back with 100 per cent fitness and I am working hard to do that.’
It is perhaps understandable that the former Ajax man has endured lots of speculations about moving to one of the top European leagues over the years as he was a standout performer during the historic run of Ajax in the 2018-19 season. He won Player of the Year awards in consecutive seasons and was instrumental in Ajax’s cup double.
While there were interests from top clubs since two years ago, the 27-year-old Morocco international is happy to not make a move at that time and instead stayed in Amsterdam.
‘Two years ago, I almost moved somewhere else but it didn’t happen and I’m happy about that looking backwards,’ he explained. ‘From that moment I had an incredible journey with Ajax, an amazing time and I improved a lot on the highest stage in Europe.’
‘This summer was the right time for me to move on and step up but I’m really happy I had the last two years in Ajax because it improved me not only as a person but also a footballer,’ he added.
Lampard’s interest increased during the month of January in the winter transfer period. Although Chelsea couldn’t secure a deal with Ajax before the transfer window ended, both the clubs met an agreement about Ziyech’s move to Stamford Bridge. Ziyech was sure that it was his right time to change the club.
A telephonic conversation with the Blues manager was influenced Hakim to make the move and seal the deal in summer.
‘We spoke on the phone and the way he was talking about the game of football was the most important thing for me at that time,’ explained Ziyech.
‘I come from Ajax and there we like to play football so we spoke about that and his idea of the game. After that, it was clear for me and clear that he trusted me.
